From James Alder,
Your Guide to Football.
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Oct 14 2003

After creating quite a ruckus with his comments about the media's racially-motivated infatuation with Donovan McNabb, rookie sports commentator Rush Limbaugh decided to resign Wednesday night from his position on ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" amid growing pressure from a variety of sources.

"My comments this past Sunday were directed at the media and were not racially motivated," Limbaugh said in a statement. "I offered an opinion. This opinion has caused discomfort to the crew, which I regret."

"I love NFL Sunday Countdown and do not want to be a distraction to the great work done by all who work on it. Therefore, I have decided to resign. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the show and wish all the best to those who make it happen."

ESPN released an official statement Wednesday night that indicated this may have been a mutual parting of the ways.

"Although Mr. Limbaugh today stated that his comments had 'no racist intent whatsoever,' we have communicated to Mr. Limbaugh that his comments were insensitive and inappropriate. Throughout his career, he has been consistent in his criticism of the media's coverage of a myriad of issues,"

Limbaugh stood by his comments during his radio talk show Wednesday, stating, "All this has become the tempest that it is because I must have been right about something. If I wasn't right, there wouldn't be this cacophony of outrage that has sprung up in the sports writer community."

On last Sunday's show, Limbaugh made the infamous statement in reference to the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback.

"I don't think he's been that good from the get-go. I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. They're interested in black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well... McNabb got a lot of the credit for the performance of the team that he really didn't deserve."

McNabb responded to Limbaugh's comments at a news conference Wednesday.

"He said what he said. ... I'm sure he's not the only one that feels that way but it's somewhat shocking to actually hear that on national TV. An apology would do no good because he obviously thought about it before he said it."

Other high-profile critics that spoke out Wednesday include Democratic presidential candidates Wesley Clark, Howard Dean and Rev. Al Sharpton .

The timing of Limbaugh's remarks is questionable as well. He is scheduled to be in Philadelphia Thursday to speak at the National Association of Broadcasters radio convention.